knew it was coming, but still sad

This sums up my feeling as well.

By the start of the season next season, the likes of McKenzie will have gone past him(if not already), and i would have hated to see Junior play out much of his last year at Casey.

I posted a few weeks ago that he shouldn't go on. If he's had a "push" then my respect for this club just continues to grow. It's the right decision and it gives me confidence that the FD is prepared to make the hard ones.

Well done on a fine career.

I also posted this and I agree totally.

R.I.P. James Mcdonalds Football career,

It has been a Joy watching you.

Step Up Jordie Mc!

Well Done James McDonald. You are a legend of the MFC, and i hope you always stay close to the club-Your attitude can only be positive.

Once that hammy injury got to 6 weeks i for one am not suprised that the club has "helped" you make your decision. We cannot carry anyone anymore.

This club almost died 2-3 years ago-We need to give ourselves the best chance at success. I am sure Junior will still be around to help the young kids grow.

Sad that you didn't run out on the 'G in 2000-but i am sure most here remember the message Woey had written on his arm.

Lets win these last 2 games by good margins-and just maybe Junior can lead the Demons to a Final. You never know.

R.I.P. James Mcdonalds Football career,

It has been a Joy watching you.

Step Up Jordie Mc!

If you read what Junior said, you will realise how classy he is, he said he got elevated off the rookie list because someobody retired........so he can see the thinking and has no hard feelings.....and knows it means that Jordie Mc will get his elevation

Demon great - going out on top.

Captain, dual B&F, AA.

He leaves big shoes to fill.

Thanks for all the memories Junior. You've been a fantastic player and captain for this club - a shame you couldn't go another year, but the right decision was made all round.

Hear, hear. I'm really disappointed that the club did this. Part of the reason we did quite well this year is because the senior players really stood up. James was playing well before the injury and should've been given another year.

I would argue that a more significant reason that we did quite well this year is because the Club has made the right list management decisions over the last several years.

He was Pick 51 in the 1996 rookie draft.

Says it all really. A true champion for the MFC and was always a favorite of mine. He's left a huge hole to fill. What a shame his last game will be the twilight fixture. Will probably mean I won't make his last game.

Just on that draft, three players we recruited went on to play over 200 games. Robertson, McDonald and Bassett. Daniel Ward also came to us out of that draft playing 130-odd games.

Junior was an absolute gem.

What more is there to say. A great of the MFC.

I will miss you no. 23

An excellent example of the theory that there are great player gems out there that are not picked in the main draft.

You do not have to be pick no. 1 to be a 250 game player and captain of your side.

Congrats ont he Career Jnr.

Heart and soul of the club and will forever be known as notr only a Melbourne great, but a great Melbourne Captain.

It took a lot to lead a club through the crap we had to go through to get the off field and on field right and on the upward rise, I only wish you were 5 years younger and could enjoy the success.

As for the slight push by the club, I'd rather see that now when he was showing signs of slowing up (Mitchell did out run him a few times) than him end up like O'Bree at the pies sitting in the 2nds all year.

Any way you cut it, this a such a great day for him, and his club. When he was appointed, he must have known he had only a couple of years left at most, and that he would likely be overseeing a joke of a football team, that played for a basket-case of a club.

What a credit to the guy that his respect remains intact, and he leaves the captaincy of a team that's in a FAR batter state than it was when he got the job.

I remember thinking then that the Bruces, Greens, JMacs and at the time, Robbos of this team deserve medals for sticking with a team that was probably not going to give them many wins.

We are, and always have been, lucky to have him. And his effect on this squad will last LONG after he retires.

Now drop EVERYTHING on these last two games. You've earned the right to go out with two big wins. The last one at the 'G. And what a sensational position for us to be in knowing it's his last two weeks, and that we aren't in tanking mode.

JUNIOR you will always be remembered as a great of this club.

I do know that the players are very upset with this decision and was quite a shock to most of the playing group...

Great player and did an incredible job as captain, way better than I ever expected. He will be missed but I understand the rationale behind the decision and where the club is going. Hopefully he hangs around and stays involved with the club somehow.

Congrats Macca on a sensational career. You are and always will be a star of the club. Dissapointing how you have left but if not now would be soon.

Step up Jordie x2

Great captain and heart and soul of the red and blue.

Admired by friend and foe.

Will be sorely missed.

A team man right ot the end.

In a previous topic (which seems to have been gone missing) I asked the question whether the Club should be doing something to celebrate his career with the Club. Surely now they should do something to allow all his fans to say goodbye. I think something like getting as many of the former players who played with him throughout his career to form a line as he comes out to lead the Club for the last time. Anybody else with any ideas.

The Time is right !

In a previous topic (which seems to have been gone missing) I asked the question whether the Club should be doing something to celebrate his career with the Club. Surely now they should do something to allow all his fans to say goodbye. I think something like getting as many of the former players who played with him throughout his career to form a line as he comes out to lead the Club for the last time. Anybody else with any ideas.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/100722/default.aspx

A few things organized but not much in the way of details.

This sums up my feeling as well.

By the start of the season next season, the likes of McKenzie will have gone past him(if not already), and i would have hated to see Junior play out much of his last year at Casey.

Thats probably the dilemma, but we need him around the club.

This may well explain the return through Casey.

Sad, it looks like he got the push. I hope their right.

I'm with you Junior.

Edited August 19, 201014 yr by dee-luded

I applaud the decision the football department has made on James McDonald

Not many players get to 250 games for this club

All Australian

2 Best and Fairests

Captain

From a Rookie to do this is a testament to how great a player and servant he has been for the MFC

Would be great if he could hang around and share his knowledge to our squad going forward

Well done junior on an excellent career

I endorse all the other accolades that will be bestowed on him. A champion of the Club.

Hear, hear.

James McDonald is one of my favourite footballers of the last two decades, purely because of his courage, leadership and dedication. A wonderful servant of the club and a great story, coming from the rookie list to captain the club.

I think we will also realise this is for the best. Another year, and we might be remembering differently about how he left the game.

I hope everyone is sending him a message @ the MFC site..

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/fanzone/jamesmcdonald/tabid/16546/default.aspx

I look back at my own career and I probably got my opportunity to get off the rookie list on to the senior list through a senior player in Paul Prymke retiring

How much does that sum up the man. I think that is a huge point in his favour (as if he needed more) that he can look at the situation and come up with that perspective. Amazing contributor to the club.

Great captain and heart and soul of the red and blue.

Admired by friend and foe.

Will be sorely missed.

A team man right ot the end.

He didn't die Robbie!

He definitely was a "Great captain and heart and soul of the red and blue" especially during those 3 rough years

How much does that sum up the man. I think that is a huge point in his favour (as if he needed more) that he can look at the situation and come up with that perspective. Amazing contributor to the club.

Jordie McKenzie maybe...